Holiday Events December 2015

STARTING DECEMBER 2: WILLISTEAD MANOR TOURS 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Willistead Manor!  This Sunday and Monday, dozens of volunteers will come together to decorate the Manor for the 2015 Holiday Season.  For several years now, the Friends of Willistead, area designers, members of the Willistead Manor Board of Directors, St. Clair College’s Interior Design students, and many volunteers have worked together to bring the magic of the holidays to Windsor’s historic gem. From the Great Hall on the main floor to the private Dressing Chamber on the second level, each room is given its very own theme and holiday makeover. 

Willistead Manor’s Annual Holiday Tours kick off Wednesday, December 2nd from 7pm to 9pm.  The Manor will be open for tours every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm throughout the month of December. Ticket are $5.75 (Adults), $4.75 (Students and Seniors), and $2.25 (Children 12 and under).  Tours are sponsored by The City of Windsor, The Friends of Willistead, and AM580 Motor City Favourites.

 For more information, please contact Willistead Manor at 519-253-2365, or visit www.willistead.ca.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2105: CPR HOLIDAY TRAIN RETURNS TO WINDSOR

Once again CP Rail has partnered with Windsor Essex County Food Bank Association in bringing the CP Railway Holiday Train to Windsor

Join them to raise Money, Food, and Awareness for our local Food Banks on Wednesday  December 2, 2015 @ 824 Caron Ave off Wyandotte St. West at the CP Rail Yard.

Train arrives @ 4:30pm with entertainment @ 5:30pm.   (train leaves shortly after entertainment)  Special appearance by the Marching Band from Anderdon School.

So bring your family and help celebrate the season of giving!

Please bring a donation of non-perishable food or make a cash donation to the volunteers on site.  Food Collected will help stock the shelves of 15 local food banks in Windsor and Essex Area.

Please call Lynda Davidson @ 519-944-5922/519-300-4557 for more information.                                                                           

DECEMBER 5 AND 6, 2015 CAROLLING FOR THE DOWNTOWN MISSION

The ladies of the Central United Church chamber choir, Blessings, will lead Christmas Carolling as a fundraiser for the Downtown Mission in front of Central United Church on Saturday, December 5 from 2 to 3:30 and Sunday, December 6 from 10 to 10:45. Please join the Carollers as they sing well known sacred and secular Christmas carols. Donations of non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be accepted during the carolling to be contributed to the Downtown Mission.

The Downtown Mission originated at Central United Church in 1972 as a coffee and doughnuts program for homeless men in downtown Windsor.  The Open Door Lounge grew successfully and in 1975 moved to its current location at 664 Victoria Avenue, thus becoming the Downtown Mission of the United Church of Canada that we know today.

Blessings, Central United’s ladies’ elite chamber choir has been in existence for two years singing for special church services, such as Remembrance Day, Advent, Christmas Eve, Easter, and others. They are led by choral director, Sandra A. Radvanyi and accompanied on piano by Marilynne Wear.

Please join them at Central United Church on Saturday December 5 from 2:00-3:30 and Sunday, December 6 from 10:00-10:45 in front of the church to sing with us or to enjoy the music of the Advent and Christmas season. Music will be provided.

DECEMBER 6, 2015 CHRISTMAS TEA FUNDRAISER

The Learning Disabilities Association of Windsor-Essex County (LDAWE) is hosting its annual Christmas Tea Fundraiser.  Everyone is invited to join them for hot beverages (tea, coffee, and hot chocolate), desserts, games, door prizes, a bake sale, and a special visit from Santa! Event proceeds will be used to support program subsidies for the Association’s programs.

The event is held on Sunday, December 6, 2015, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Association’s office at 647 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor.

To reserve tickets, please contact the office at 519-252-7889 or info@LDAWE.ca.

*TO VIEW EVEN MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS CHECK OUT PAGE 16 OF THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE OF BIZ X MAGAZINE

http://www.bizxmagazine.com/issues/November-December-2015/#p=16

by Richard Rosenthal

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Hello Beautiful Boutique Hoping To Support Deserving Girls With Dresses

For the second year in a row, a local business is already thinking about dressing girls for prom who can’t afford to buy a dress.  Hello Beautiful Custom Fashion & Bridal Boutique has again partnered with New Beginnings ("Say Yes to the Dress") and will be collecting gently used, prom dresses from now until January 1^st, 2016.  People who drop off dresses at the downtown boutique will be given $5 off if they choose to shop the day of their drop off.  The boutique is located at 532 Pelissier Street. 

 “We’re going into our second year of business here at this location and we were so proud to participate in last year’s dress drive that we knew it was something we wanted to do again.” says Boutique Co-Owner Harmony Peach.  “We also participated in helping girls find their perfect dress during last year’s Say Yes to the Dress and we recognize this is such lovely way to lift up the budding young women in our community.”

“Last year we were able to collect close to 80 dresses and this year we’re hoping we surpass that number.  We have set our new target at 100 dresses.” adds Co-Owner Lori Moore.

“By encouraging anyone to bring along a gently used prom dress or event dress for the next little while, we can, hopefully, help to make prom night beautiful for every girl no matter her lot in life!  And, we’re happy to pay for $5 off every purchase for any person who donates a dress from now until January 1^st, 2016.” adds third Co-Owner Dee-Dee Shkreli.

Say Yes to the Dress is a program run through New Beginnings and it allows local girls to choose a free prom dress for their big day.  It’s anonymous and there are no restrictions to the girls.

Hello Beautiful Custom Fashion & Bridal Boutique is located at 532 Pelissier Street and its hours of operation are Wednesday to Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday to Monday by appointment and fluctuating store hours on Tuesdays.  For more information

by Richard Rosenthal

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Congratulations to our new government

A few weeks ago I wrote on this blog that I had an easy decision in this election to vote for the Conservative candidate in my riding because Ms. Gignac was an outstanding member of City Council and hard worker for her community and because I believe the Conservatives did a good job managing our country. My opinion has not changed on either of those points.
However, Canada is a democracy and our citizens have decided to elect Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party to lead us forward. I fully support that decision and believe that Mr. Trudeau will try to do everything he has promised. That will be good for the country and all Canadians.
Listening to his acceptance speech tonight I was inspired by his words. He said that he would listen to all the elected members from all the parties. He spoke about how his campaign and platform were based on what he heard from Canadians were the things most important to them. I believe that he meant what he said and I hope that he is able to complete his goals. I'm not unrealistic and know that some will be modified and some may fall by the wayside because plans are plans and have to be flexible to meet changing conditions. But if he can manage to achieve a major portion of his goals and vision for Canada it will be a blessing for all Canadians.
Let's all get behind our new government and help move forward in any way we can.

by Richard Rosenthal

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Soups On! Windsor Downtown Mission Starts Six O'clock Soup Program

In response to changing needs and continued increasing numbers of people in need the Downtown Mission will begin a pilot project called Six O’clock Soup, to meet the increasing requests for supplemental meal assistance from people who are struggling with hunger and poverty.
The program debuted on October 1^st and marked the beginning of an new era for the Windsor Downtown Mission as it formally begins operations as a 24/7 social service provider.

“There is a definite need for this program,” said Ron Dunn, Executive Director. “The increase in people we see daily for the lunch meal has been astounding. If they are hungry at lunch they will be hungry later in the day. We will be there, to be that safe place, to receive sustenance for the night ahead and be a shelter from the elements as autumn and winter set in.”

The Windsor Downtown Mission currently provides a lunch meal that serves about 250 people a day. In the evening the Mission’s Sanctuary Program provides a crash bed shelter program for 25 people per evening. In the morning the people who have been assisted through the Sanctuary Program also receive coffee and a breakfast.

While the Six O’clock Soup program is a pilot program, the Windsor Downtown Mission is confident that it will be able to sustain its long-term viability. “The Mission will find the resources to deliver this important new imitative. That being said, we are looking to partner with some of our friends in the restaurant community to be part of a rotation, and prepare a nourishing soup to serve the people being supported in the program. We also encourage the members of our corporate sector to consider sponsoring our soup program to help secure its permanence,” Dunn said.

Volunteers to help serve the soup are also welcome. Potential soup program sponsors, restauranteurs and volunteers can contact the Downtown Mission at 519-973-5573 for more information.






by Richard Rosenthal

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Important Federal Election on Oct. 19th - We all need to vote

by Richard Rosenthal

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Those of you who have known me for many years probably know that I have been a Liberal and worked for that party for many years supporting such local candidates as Herb Gray, David Peterson, Paul Martin Sr. and many other good people over the years. I have also supported individuals who were not Liberals such as Jane Boyd and Louis Parent who ran for the Conservatives Provincially and people like Bert Weeks who was an NDP candidate that I supported municipally but not Federally.

When I supported non-Liberal candidates it was because their individual skills and attraction outweighed party interests and they were friends who asked me for their support.

We all have grown older, and hopefully wiser, and this has changed our outlook on some things including politics.  I am lucky because I live in Windsor-Tecumseh where an outstanding individual, Jo-Anne Gignac, is representing the Conservatives.

This is an excellent convergence of an excellent proven local politician who has worked hard for Windsor and shown herself to have her home city in her heart and a Federal Conservative party who I have come to believe is the right answer for Canada now. They have proven their worth in that our economy is one of the best in the world, taxes have been reduced and benefits to help people raise their families have been increased. Their international policies make sense and their leader is an honest, if not socially dynamic, individual who generally thinks before he plunges into things. 

Are there still problems? Of course there are, and will continue to be, but I see no solutions coming from the other two leading parties that make sense to me. I see knee-jerk reactions to issues like the Syrian refugee issue that will not make long-term sense. The typical promise to improve the economy by running a deficit has never made sense to me and even the NDP who have been known to lean this way are rejecting it. 

So for me, Oct. 19th will not require a lot of soul searching. I want to see our hard working local candidate, Jo-Anne Gignac represent us in the next Conservative government.

You don't have to agree with me but please think about the issues and vote with your brain for whoever you think will best keep Canada the great place it is.

South Windsor Animal Hospital September 27, 2015

South Windsor Animal Hospital, 1975 Provincial Road, hosts a charity event each year to benefit the Windsor Downtown Mission.

They provide nail trims to dogs, cats, and pocket pets in exchange for a donation of 4 canned goods. This year this event will be held on Sunday September 27 from 2 to 4pm, at their location 1975 Provincial Rd, Windsor, Ontario.

They will have a baked goods table with all proceeds going to the Mission.

The LeeLee Hats group will also be there to teach people of all ages how to loom hats for babies in the local NICUs.

Shawn from My Pet’s Butler will also be in attendance to answer any questions regarding his pet shuttle/sitting/dog walking service.

And the Windsor Firefighters will also be there, so bring your cameras to have your child’s or pets picture taken with their fire engine!

There will also be raffles and lots of fun things for the kids to see and do!

Call 519-969-7390 if you need more details or visit . . .

Southwindsoranimalhospital.ca

www.facebook.com/southwindsoranimalhospital

by Richard Rosenthal

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Hawkfest Sept 12 & 13: Sept 19 & 20!

It’s not every day you get to experience one of nature’s great migrations, let alone one that happens in your own backyard.  Ranking in the top three hawk watching spots in North America, the Holiday Beach Conservation Area’s unique geography and location makes for a grand spectacle every year as tens of thousands of birds of prey make their annual journey to nesting grounds in the south.

 In recognition of their arduous journey, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), in partnership with the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO), will celebrate with Hawk Festival 2015. The festival, which runs over the second and third weekends of September, brings together bird and other wildlife experts to share their expertise with budding naturalists, seasoned pros, and members of the general public.

“The Hawk Festival really has something for everybody, as we strive to make it appealing to everyone from experienced birders to people who just want to get outside and learn something new,” explained ERCA’s Director of Community Outreach Services Danielle Stuebing. “Regardless of your level of knowledge, the migration of thousands of raptors is a spectacle not to be missed.”

One of the most unique elements of the HawkFest is the ongoing banding and research conducted by the HBMO, which allowed Holiday Beach to become designated as an Important Bird Area of global significance.  Whether you are an expert or novice birder, the opportunity to see these magnificent raptors weighed, measured, and banded, and then released back into the wild, is a spectacular moment that visitors will remember for years to come. 

“We also look forward to welcoming our neighbours from across the border, who can enjoy the favourable exchange rate while taking in the fantastic migration,” Stuebing said, adding many Americans already cross the border to enjoy the festival.

The Festival, which runs from 9am to 3pm on September 12-13 and 19-20, offers ongoing programming and a number of educational “walks & talks”.  Full day offerings include: HBMO experts identifying hawks from the Hawk Tower, bird banding and adoptions, live hawk displays care of Kingsport Environmental and Wild Ontario, and a bird-centred smart phone scavenger hunt.

 

The educational programs are wide ranging. HBMO President Bob Pettit will give an introduction to identifying hawk species, a must for new birders. Jerry Jourdan, of the Erie Shores Birding Association, will demonstrate “digiscoping,” a low-cost solution to photographing distant species. Kory Renaud, of HBMO, will demonstrate the “next generation” of birding with an introduction to new technology and the e-Bird system. Those with an eye for photography can take in talks from professional photographers Glenn Gervais, of Southshore Outdoor Photography, and Ted Kloske, of Henry’s Canada.

All programs are free with the festival admission fee of $15 per vehicle. For a full list of programs and walks & talks, visit www.erca.org/birding.

The best raptor viewing time is from 9 a.m. until noon when the hawks fly low. The Holiday Beach Conservation Area is located on County Road 50, on Lake Erie near Malden Centre approximately 15km southeast of historic Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, a half hour drive from Highway 401 and only 40 minutes from the Ambassador Bridge for those coming from Detroit.   

Since 1973, the Essex Region Conservation Authority has served as a community-based organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and managing the natural resources of the Essex Region.   See you on the Hawk Tower!

by Richard Rosenthal

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